A family walks down the pathway toward the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point, surrounded by American flags and calm waters.
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Caroline Mars Sets World Record 1949

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Caroline Mars, JRM-2 (Photo courtesy of Amphalon)

The Caroline Mars, a JRM-2 flying boat, broke the world record for passenger lift by carrying 202 men from NAS Alameda to NAS North Island, San Diego and broke it again the same day, 25 February 1949,  with a return load of 218 men.  These were the largest operational sea planes in history and after the Navy stopped their service, they were quickly bought up by companies that endeavored to turn them into flying firemen. Watch the videos below for history and current operations of the gigantic Mars flying boats!